Latest News
Austin attorney: Chapter 313 replacement bill 'quite a bit more limited in the kinds of projects that can qualify'
On April 10, the Texas House Ways & Means Committee heard testimony on House Bill (HB) 5, a bill intended as a replacement for the now defunct Chapter 313 tax abatement program.
Patrick, Schwertner back legislation to ensure 'Texans have the reliability, transparency and security on our power grid that they deserve'
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Charles Schwertner are prioritizing new legislation aimed at ensuring a reliable energy grid across Texas and attracting new sources of reliable thermal electricity generation.
Peacock: 'The only thing [the Senate plan] is going to ensure for sure is higher electricity prices and more profits for generators'
Bill Peacock, the policy director of the Energy Alliance, joined a recent episode of the "Pratt on Texas" podcast to discuss the current state of the Texas energy grid. Peacock covered the history of Texas' market-based grid system and how its erosion via regulation and subsidies has resulted in higher prices for consumers and a lower level of reliability. Peacock called for lawmakers to put a stop to subsidies and return to a pure market system in order to fix the issues facing the grid today.
Life:Powered's Bennett: 'We fully support SB 7’s attempt to apply cost allocation to the new reliability service the PUC is developing'
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) released a joint statement on March 9 announcing their support for Senate Bills 6 and 7, two pieces of legislation aimed at ensuring a reliable energy grid across Texas and attracting new sources of reliable thermal electricity generation.
Middleton believes proposed legislation will 'go a long way to provide reliable, dispatchable energy for Texans'
State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) supports recently announced legislation focused on boosting energy grid reliability across Texas.
Senator skeptical of Chapter 313 renewal as Abbott calls for 'new economic development tools' support
In his State of the State address, Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) called for the introduction of new economic development tools in this legislative session, according to the Lone Star Standard.
Texas state senator calls bill a 'good start' to ensure Texas grid fairness
Texas state Sen. Bob Hall wants Texas to correct its energy marketplace before more problems arise.
Energy Alliance policy director: Grid reform legislation undermines ‘competition and reliability in the Texas electricity market’
Bill Peacock, the policy director for the Energy Alliance, is criticizing the Texas Senate’s power grid reform plan for falling short on proper action needed to ensure the state has reliable energy.
Texas Senate discusses how to 'to get increased reliability at the lowest cost possible' when it comes to the energy grid
The Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard testimony on Feb. 16 about potential changes to the state's energy grid.
Senators question whether renewables, intermittent generators should pay for grid changes
In a hearing on Feb. 16, the Texas Senate’s Business and Commerce Committee discussed making major changes to the Texas Energy grid following the disastrous 2021 Winter Storm Uri.
Texas senators, witnesses question who should bear the cost of ensuring grid reliability
The Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met on Feb. 16 where they held a hearing to discuss overhauling the state energy grid.
Texas governor in State of the State Address: 'Our local communities need new economic tools this session'
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signified his support for resurrecting the Chapter 313 tax subsidy program during his recent State of the State speech.
Texas senators, PUC chair say subsidies for renewable power take away from 'what actually works'
The Texas Senate Committee on Business & Commerce heard criticism of renewable power subsidies during a recent hearing on the Public Utility Commission's (PUC) efforts re-engineer the state's energy grid following Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
Senate Committee questions price tag of new PUC grid plan, has concern for consumer cost
On Feb. 7, the Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce held a hearing on the Public Utility Commission's (PUC) plan to overhaul the Texas energy grid. PUC Chairman Peter Lake answered questions from the committee. Several senators displayed their skepticism over whether the plan would work, pointing out their concerns with the plan's novel nature. Specific issues raised by senators include questions over the price tag for the plan and its ability to attract new generators to the market.
Senators skeptical of Texas PUC grid plan: 'We cannot miss on this'
The Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce held a hearing Tuesday on the Public Utility Commission's (PUC) plan to overhaul the Texas energy grid.
Energy Alliance policy director: Heavy investment in renewable resources 'coming up snake eyes' in Texas
The 2021 winter storms in Texas shed light on the need for the Texan energy grid to be updated and improved. In response, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) has proposed a plan to significantly overhaul the current grid system. However, this proposal has been met with scrutiny from both policy experts and leading politicians alike.
Texas lawmakers, energy analysts say 'more is needed' to improve grid
Following the severe winter storm Uri in 2021, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Public Utility Commission to "take immediate action" in order to improve grid reliability across the Lone Star State.
TXOGA president on Texas power grid reform: 'Any plan adopted must ensure reliability services, insist that generators are paid for real-time performance'
The Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM) and the Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA) voiced their concerns about the Public Utility Commission's (PUC) plan to redesign the Texas energy grid.
Author of Texas power grid reform: PUC's plan 'represents a substantial departure from the legislative intent of Senate Bill 3'
Texas State Senator Charles Schwertner (R) sent the Public Utility Commission (PUC) a letter criticizing its plan for improving the reliability of Texas' energy grid following a legislative meeting held on January 19
Energy Alliance policy director: 'The PUC’s effort does almost nothing to address the primary cause of unreliability in the Texas market'
The Energy Alliance highlighted its newly published research, which criticizes the actions taken by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) intended to improve the reliability of the grid. Authored by Policy Director Bill Peacock, the research says that the PUC's plan will actually increase costs and reduce reliability by continuing heavy investment and subsidization of wind and solar generation and avoiding the creation of an "energy-only" market environment.